I have my predictions on deck for this year’s night of Hollywood self-aggrandizement even though this year’s event doesn’t really have as much joie de vivre to it as recent years have had. I mean there are very few nominations that really are buzz worthy but even if this is a downer of an award year this is still the big kahuna of them all.

Best Supporting Actor

The Nominees: Robert Duvall (THE JUDGE), Ethan Hawke (BOYHOOD), Edward Norton (BIRDMAN), Mark Ruffalo (FOXCATCHER), J.K. Simmons (WHIPLASH)
Will Win: J.K. Simmons
This one is a no-brainer. There was not another performance by a supporting actor that can touch what Simmons did in WHIPLASH. I am kinda perturbed that he is not in the Best Actor category to be honest because he was WHIPLASH. But I am happy that being in the supporting category all but guarantees Simmons a win. I have been a fan of his since his days on OZ so I’ll be glad when he wins.
Should Win: J.K. Simmons
Like I said, he was amazing and no one else in this category can touch him.
Got Robbed: Channing Tatum (FOXCATCHER)
This may be a shocking statement but I really felt that Channing Tatum gave the best performance of all the actors in FOXCATCHER. He wasn’t showy or obviously playing a part like Carell or understated to the point of seeming to not give a damn like Ruffalo. Instead Tatum disappeared into this overgrown, needy man-child and made you forget sometimes that it was the same dude from MAGIC MIKE and the GI JOE movies. He really deserved a nomination.